November New in town: 27 restaurants, cafes, & ice-cream parlours to visit

New In Town November

As Singaporeans, no question beleaguers the psyche more than the perennial dilemma of where to eat? Apart from wondering if we should bring an umbrella out (yes, you should) or slather on sunscreen (yes, you must), the conflict of finding a place to eat that satisfies the whims and fancies of everyone in your socially responsible group of five is, if anything, relentless.

Since the nation loves all things new and shiny, my team at SethLui.com has taken it upon themselves to curate the hottest and newest openings in Singapore every month—a sure sign that the economy is rebounding slowly but surely. Now, a little disclaimer; new does not necessarily mean good, and since our ‘New in town’ series are but bite-sized food news, we can only, in our limited capacity, share what our extensive online research has unearthed about these places.

At times, some new in town entries intrigue the team enough to warrant a personal trip, which will then elaborate into a full-scale review. But for now, here is a list of 27 new openings we’ve reported in November 2020 for your dining perusal.


Jurassic World Cafe, Orchard — Dinosaur-themed cafe with Volcano Curry and Lava Flow cake

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Running from 6 November 2020 to 3 January 2021, this experiential dining cum retail pop-up will be running for 2 months at ION Sky. Unique food options aside, the space also includes a life-sized model of Blue, a velociraptor made famous by the sequel, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.

For a fiery hit, feast on their Volcano Curry, an edible volcano made with charcoal rice spewing curry lava. Additionally, the Jurassic World Burger is a scrumptious stack for meat-loving carnivores to indulge in with a side of warm fries.

Chope Reservations

Read more here.


Sugar Toast 初荟糖先生, Orchard — Buttery, artisanal handmade toast from famous bakery in China

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Here is something bright and shiny to whet your appetite. Newly minted in the basement of Wisma Atria, Sugar Toast 初荟糖先生 is where you’ll find colourful artisanal bread that might be too pretty to eat. Hailing from China, where Sugar Toast is a household name, I’m surprised it took this long for them to make their way over here.

With over 14 varieties of toast, you’ll be spoiled for choice at Sugar Toast. As with Asian-style bread, they tend to be sweeter and softer than Western-style bread. The bread here is painstakingly made with a process that takes up to four hours; what you get is a tender, buttery loaf that you can’t help but finish.

Read more here.


Ratio Inc, The Centrepoint — The robot barista for workaholics to enjoy their caffeine dose

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Ratio Inc serves western brews, local Nanyang kopi, as well as alcoholic concoctions that can keep you refreshed throughout the day. Here, they’ve implemented happy hour prices all day long. Enjoy a Kopi O at just S$1, a Beer for S$2, and a Latte at S$3.

It’s all in your hands as you get to customise your drinks, with hot and iced options as well as sweetness levels. Other exciting brews include the Pandan Latte (S$5, hot/iced) and Banana Latte (S$5, hot/iced).

Read more here.


Guilt, Arab Street — Embark on a guilt trip with these chunky indulgent cookies

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If you love yourself an indulgent chunky stuffed cookie just like those of Nasty Cookie, then you will definitely enjoy Guilt, a new cookie monster’s heaven located at Arab Street.

If you are a fan of s’mores, you will love Guilt’s Walk Of Shame (S$4.50), the bakery’s interpretation of a s’mores cookie prepared with dark chocolate chips and caramel -nfused vanilla cookies. Topped with toasted marshmallow bits and a graham crumb crust, this is a cookie that is so good, you won’t be able to stop at one.

Read more here.


Kevin Khoo Bistro, Shenton Way — Ex-SIA crew rally to open casual Western restaurant

Kevin Khoo Bistro Feature

Sometimes tough times are really thrown at us to test our patience and resilience, and the folks behind Kevin Khoo Bistro have weathered the storm that is the COVID-19 pandemic. Started by ex-stewards and stewardesses from SIA, the bistro’s name is a cheeky prod at the term ‘cabin crew’. In fact, there’s a current promotion till the end of the year for anyone named ‘Kevin Khoo’—you’ll be entitled to a whopping 40% off your total bill!

Their fare is labelled as casual Western and the prices for pasta go up to S$22, while other mains can go up to S$38—no GST, although there is a service charge. How does a Kurobuta Pork Cubes Truffle Mushroom Cream Pasta (S$19) sound?

Read more here.


PIVOT, Canal Rd — Desserts, drinks & Tamago Sando for quiet afternoons

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Recently opened along Canal Road, PIVOT is a quaint little cafe that has a succinct menu serving desserts and drinks. With a pretty interior and charming little cakes, we had to go check it out for ourselves.

The consensus at the table was that the Fields of Yellow (S$8) cake was the better of the two desserts that we tried, contrary to customer feedback. The soft cheesecake on top contrasted really well against the crumbly biscuit base, and the kinako powder brought an interesting flavour profile to the dish.

Read more here.


Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang, Victoria Street — China’s award-winning Mala to open in Singapore

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Singapore will be the latest country to join Japan and Canada as the chosen overseas locations for Yang Guo Fu Mala Tang, which also marks the brand’s first expansion into South East Asian territory. The restaurant is widely known for its addition of milk and sugar in the broth, which gives the soup an extra dose of flavour.

The new outlets will be located along Victoria Street and in SingPost Centre, and with queues in China reportedly going for as long as two hours, they are expected to draw huge crowds once they open in late November.

Read more here.


Genzo, River Valley — Modern Japanese cuisine with 11-course Omakase for S$100

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Be it a plate of fresh sashimi or an array of sushis, a piping hot bowl of udon or a luscious donburi, Genzo has you covered with a kaleidoscope of selections that are bound to delight.

Start off your meal at Genzo with an entrée of Century Egg Tofu (S$2.80), a unique take on traditional Japanese cold tofu topped with a generous drizzle of century egg sauce, crab meat and crunchy burst-in-your-mouth tobiko.

Read more here.


RAPPU, Duxton — Largest omakase sushi bar opening 24 Nov

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Credit – RAPPU

For those that loved RAPPU when it was a pop-up at REVAMP Cocktail Bar, you’ll love it even more at its permanent home along Duxton Road. You know the spiel, RAPPU, just like it’s brother Feather Blade, is hyperfocused on one thing: handrolls. The same rules apply, their set of six handrolls come up to a nice S$36, and if you like a sake pairing it will be S$18 for each roll.

Read more here.


Beng Who Cooks, Neil Road — Hawker stall-turned-restaurant serves rice bowls from S$12

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Birthed in a small Hong Lim Complex hawker stall in 2018, Beng Who Cooks has today reached new heights by taking their operations to a brand-new brick-and-mortar location—at 39 Neil Road. In the spirit of new beginnings, head chef Jason Lim is also flanked with a new, expanded team, as well as a refreshed menu.

Indulge in fresh aburi salmon drizzled with ikura soy sauce topped with a traditional onsen egg with their Aburi Salmon Bowl (S$12), or if you’re feeling a bit more atas, try their Feeling Rich Bowl (S$15)foie gras, mustard grain, onsen egg, and zai er laid atop a bed of flavoured rice.

Read more here.


Overrice, Arab Street — Muslim-owned restaurant serving The Halal Guys-esque Mediterranean rice bowls

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Frequent travellers to The Big Apple, New York, would have heard of The Halal Guys—a halal fast-casual chain restaurant that started off as a pushcart along the streets of Manhattan. If you have been missing the hearty rice bowls from The Halal Guys or have been dying to try their highly-raved about Beef Gryo Platter, let Overrice be your answer.

Taking inspiration from The Halal Guys, Overrice is Singapore’s very first Muslim-owned eatery located at Arab Street serving a variety of halal Mediterranean-influenced rice bowls.

Read more here.


Mad Roaster, Amoy Street – Exquisite espressos and fresh brioches for a good cause

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If you’re looking for the best way to start your day the next time you’re around Amoy Street Food Centre, there’s surely no better breakfast pairing than a fresh brioche and a rich espresso. You’d be pleased to know, then, that a new outlet has just opened for business at Amoy Street Food Centre that specialises in just this—and they go by the name of Mad Roaster.

Each cup from Mad Roaster is also designed and hand-coloured by a refugee seeking asylum in Thailand, with all proceeds going directly in aid of their asylum application.

Read more here.


I#you, Hougang — Western by day, Lok-lok by night

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The lockdown has gotten us all yearning so badly for a trip to JB, and if you’re missing the famous lok-lok across the highway, you’d be thrilled to know that a new lok-lok place called I#you has just opened—and what’s more, they also sell western dishes during the day.

The new store opened its doors in Hougang on 11 September and operates till the wee hours of 2am. A plate of Chicken Chop (S$5.50) features a sunny-side-up egg, fries, baked beans and coleslaw on the side. If you’d prefer to have your chicken or pork chop with rice, you can go for their Chicken Chop w/ Fried Rice (S$5.50) or Pork Chop with Fried Rice (S$6).

Read more here.


An Açaí Affair, Bedok – Your next açaí fix just got closer in the east

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Fans of the Brazilian açaí bowl will be excited to know that An Açaí Affair has opened its newest outlet at Bedok. That ‘Are you from the east? Because you make my heart go ‘bedok bedok‘ pick up line suddenly feels extra relevant.

An Açaí Affair offers a range of Signature Açaí Bowls, such as the Lean & Green (S$7.50 for small, S$10.70 for medium, S$16.10 for large). Choose between açaí with banana cacao or passionfruit mango spirulina, and have that complete with a serving of fresh fruits, granola and superfoods.

Read more here.


Menbaka Fire Ramen, Orchard — Famous Kyoto fire ramen opening 24 Nov

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‘That’s hot’, you’ll think in Paris Hilton’s voice and no doubt, it is hot. The ramen, I mean. This is no ordinary ramen, the ramen from Menbaka Fire Ramen is first engulfed in a tower of flames in a theatrical display before you can eat it.

Watch as the eccentric owner, Masamichi Miyazawa, set bowls of ramen aflame for that unique smoky flavour. What happens is that Masamichi will pour a saucepan of flaming hot negi (Japanese long onion) oil over the bowls of ramen from which a blazing inferno will then erupt.

Read more here.


Pint & Dine, Kensington Square — Korean, Western & finger food under one roof in Bartley

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As an eastie, it is quite embarrassing to admit that I don’t know much about Bartley—except for the fact that it is where the newest BTO estate is going to be in a few years time. Perhaps it is for this reason that Pint & Dine, a cafe by day and bistro by night, has decided to open recently at Kensington Square. With the area only bound to get increasingly popular in the coming years, we’d have to say it’s pretty good foresight.

Pint & Dine has a diverse menu that spans from finger food to Korean food, and Western cuisine. For cold and rainy days, you can snuggle up indoors over a steaming bowl of Seafood Ramyeon (S$10), or indulge in some Korean P&D Chicken Wings (S$8) that come in two flavours—Original and Yang Nyum.

Read more here.


Orchid Starry Dreamz Pop-up Cafe, Jalan Klapa — Dine in the clouds with Little Twin Stars, Kiki and Lala

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Start your day energised at Orchid Starry Dreamz Pop-up Cafe with Little Twin Stars Magic Starry Breakfast (S$26.90), a hearty western option featuring two pieces of coloured toast with butter moulded into the shape of Kiki and Lala’s faces. Served on the side is a portion of crescent-shaped scrambled eggs, bacon and sautéed mushrooms, perfect complements for a wholesome meal.

Read more here.


Kampong Amin Dim Sum, Jalan Besar — Dim sum lovers’ next must-try dim sum spot

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At Kampong Amin Dim Sum, look forward to a mix of local Chinese dishes and Hong Kong-style dim sum. They have a Lunch (11.30am to 2.30pm) and Dinner (5pm to 10.30pm) menu, with the latter offering a wider range of Chef’s Specialties and side dishes, on top of the regular Dim Sum selection.

For the dim sum selection, look forward to delights such as the Supreme Har Kao (Prawn Dumpling) (S$5.50) and Signature Lo Mai Gai (Steamed Glutinous Rice with Chicken) (S$5.50). These classic dim sum dishes will definitely have you feeling full and satisfied after a trip to Kampong Amin Dim Sum.

Read more here.


Iseecream, Upper Thomson — Ice cream and herb & spice waffles till 2am

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Credit – Iseecream

Fans of the herb-infused cones at the famed Birds of Paradise will also enjoy Iseecream’s Mini Herb & Spice-Infused Belgian Waffle (S$3.50), which will probably pair nicely with a fruity or floral flavour of ice cream—all while keeping to a manageable portion. Perfect for those who can do the crime (of indulging in a midnight dessert) but won’t pay the time (of hitting the gym).

Read more here.


Tomodashi Singapore, Aljunied — Munch on Japanese rice bowls and sashimi at this new cafe

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Ever crave a hearty bowl of grains and proteins to feel the comforting embrace of warm food? Newly opened Japanese cafe, Tomodashi Singapore, will have those living near Aljunied in luck. (I mean, you can travel east for it too; no one’s judging the miles you go for good food.)

They serve a delectable looking range of warm bowls, such as Tori Karaage Curry Rice (S$7.90), Tori Katsu Curry Rice (S$8.90) and Gyuniku Curry Rice (S$10.90).

Read more here.


100labs, Sultan Gate — Customise the crispiness of your waffles to pair with gelato

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A 100labs signature is their Buttermilk Waffles Oomph! (S$7, S$9.90 for a single scoop gelato and S$12.90 for double scoops), which is best enjoyed with a wide selection of 12 different gelato flavours (S$3.50 each) —Vanilla, Pistachio, Hazelnut Rocher, Dark Chocolate, Honey & Figs, Lychee/Mango Sorbet, Banana Nut Crunch, Wild Berries, Taro Yam & Coconut, Hojicha and Coconut Cream.

Read more here.


GEMMA Steakhouse, National Gallery Singapore — Classic Italian meets old-world charm

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After the launch of his new-age online culinary establishment, Grammi, Michelin Chef-Restauranter Beppe De Vito of The ilLido Group is back with an upscale social dining destination—GEMMA Steakhouse.

As with all Italian steakhouses, the jewel of the kitchen is the trademark Josper oven, where hunks of Tuscan-style T-Bone Fiorentina Steak (S$25 per 100g) are seared right in front of you. From the 30-day aged Porterhouse to the 45-day aged bone-in ribeye Costata, each and every cut is exclusively sourced and dry-aged for the eatery.

Read more here.


Canvas Cookies — Quirky cookies to intrigue the palate and palette

Canvas Cookies Online

I think most of us can agree that baking is an art. But Canvas Cookies, a home baker, goes the extra mile to incorporate visual art in her baking. Founded by artist Poh Ya See, Canvas Cookies is an edible space to explore the palate and palette.

Their first artist series, The Good Vibe Collection (S$19.80 per box), shows off their quirky and joyous style. In this box, you’ll find six pieces from The Joy Trio, which are Sandies sandwich cookies with homemade salted caramel. On top of that, there will be three sets of OK cookies, nine pieces of Richio cookies, and three pieces of Lady Rosé cookies.

Read more here.


Haute and Cauld, Bedok — Say yes to midnight melon ice cream on charcoal waffles

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What’s not to love about an ice cream cafe where you can chill out with your friends and family over delicious dessert? Even better, Haute and Cauld opens till 2am daily, so you know where to head to the next time you get a midnight sugar craving.

Read more here.


Miznon, Stanley Street — 12 Types of pitas & modern Israeli fare

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Credit – Miznon

Finally landing in our sunny shores, Miznon‘s 11th global outlet in Singapore just opened its doors to customers last week. It was first opened in Tel Aviv by Chef Eyal Shani, who was a MasterChef Israel judge and restaurateur. Today, their 42-seater space along Stanley Street is brimming with sights and smells.

Specialising in “proper” Israeli fare, Miznon is one of the first of its kind in Singapore, which is a great place to start, considering how both Singapore and Israeli are a “melting pot of cultures,” according to owner Nadav Cohen.

Read more here.


East Coast Commune, Marine Cove — The East Coast Plan and coffee we need

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It’s easy to say I’m above the trends, burnt basque cheesecake: overdone, bubble tea everything: come on, and salted egg on anything: blasphemous. But then, a new cafe like the East Coast Commune appears on the scene with vibes and an aesthetic that taps into all my millennial sensibilities. Needless to say, I have to go there and take a million pictures with an Instagram filter because #aesthetic.

Chope Reservations

Read more here.


Kedai Kopi, Clementi — Massive coffeeshop concept by Tenderfresh x Kimly Coffeeshop

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If you didn’t know, Kimly Coffeeshop is one of the largest traditional coffee shop operators in Singapore and Tenderfresh group are the folks behind those famous fried and roasted spring chickens. This collaboration is a long time coming, and one of the most exciting to date.

Read more here.

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